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SERMON, 



OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH, AND DELIVERED 
AT THE FUNERAL OF THE 



HONORABLE 

OLIVER ELLSWORTH Esq. L. L. D, 

WHO DIED NOVEMBER 26th, 1807. 

IN THE SIXTY-THIRD YEAR OF HIS AGE. 



p 

BY HENRY A. ROWLAND, 

PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN WINDSOR. 






HARTFORD : 

PRINTED BY HUDSON AND GOODWIN. 



1808. 






TO the bereaved Widow and afflicted Chil- 
dren ; the following discourse, preached at their 
desire, and published by their request, is inscri- 
bed by their sympathising friend, 

The Author. 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 



PSALM XXXIX. 9. 

I was dicmb, I opened not my month ; because thou didst it. 

U I VINE mercies and chastisements are so 
promiscuously distributed to men in the present 
state, that we cannot, by their outward circum- 
stances in life, determine their real character. 

David, though a man after God's own, heart, 
was distressed with outward afflictions and in- 
ward terrors — yet he resolved he would not ut- 
ter a word which would appear as a reflection on 
God and his Providence. After making some 
observations on the brevity of human life, he re- 
solved to exercise fortitude under every trial, 
and to seek for happiness, in the enjoyment of 
God. In order to this he prayed for pardon, and 
professed submission to the divine will. " I 
was dumb ; I opened not my mouth \ because 
thou didst it." He was silent as to murmuring 
or repining against God or his Providence. 
When he looked to instruments only, he was 
discomposed and spake unadvisedly. But when, 
he looked upon God, as the sovereign disposer 
of all things, he was silent, 

It is our duty, under all the trials of life to lis 
in humble submission before God. 

This will appear if we consider 

L God is the rightful owner and proprietor 
of all things. 



4 A FUNERAL SERMON. 

II. It is our duty to submit when he takes 
our comforts away. 

I. God is the rightful owner and proprietor 
of all things, and therefore has a sovereign right 
to dispose of them. By his almighty word he 
brought the world and all things in it into exist- 
ence. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness 
thereof. He hath made us and not we ourselves. 
He supports that life which he has given us — for 
" in him we live, and move, and have our being ; 
and in him are all our ways." 

It is he who sets the solitary in families, and 
makes a hedge about their dwellings. His 
blessing it is, which makes their habitations 
the residences of peace and happiness. With- 
out it, every relation in life would be a snare, 
and every blessing would be embittered ; we 
should have no capacity for enjoyment in the 
fulness of earthly good. When he sees fit, he 
can, with the utmost ease, draw a melancholy 
vail over all our worldly prospects, and bring on 
us such a train of disasters, as will fill our souls 
with anguish, and cause us to go mourning all 
our days. God is our rightful owner, because he 
hath created us. The Creator hath surely a 
right to the work of his own hands. He upholds 
us in being ; and, therefore, has a right to that 
which could not exist a moment without his sup- 
porting power. He has endowed us with ration- 
al souls, which are capable of knowing and serv- 
ing him. He therefore justly claims our love, 
gratitude and obedience. 

He hath redeemed us by the precious blood 
of his own Son — and therefore we are not our 
own, but his ; for we are bought with a price. 

We have abused our rational powers, and 
have not known, nor served God aright. Our 
knowledge and services have been confined to 
the earth. Our health and ease have been im- 
proved to selfish purposes. The glorious Sav- 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 5 

iour has been refused the dominion of our hearts, 
and our lives have not been consecrated to God. 

As we have forfeited these blessings, God has 
a right to take them away. 

Further — All our outward comforts arc from 
God. It is he who feeds and clothes us, pro- 
vides for us comfortable habitations, and raises 
up for us friends and benefactors. It is he who 
has constituted the nearest and most intimate of 
all connections, and made them subservient to 
each other's happiness. He formed their mutual 
joy and congratulations in prosperity, the united 
participation of which increases their delight, 
and their mutual sympathy, while under the 
frowns of providence. These tender sensibili- 
ties and mutual participations, tend to alleviate 
the sorrows of life, and to render those adverse 
scenes tolerable, which would, otherwise, with 
difficulty be borne. It is he who, in our chil- 
dren, causes us to be born again, makes them a 
comfort to us, and a blessing to the world. In 
receiving these bounties of divine Providence, 
we have considered them as our right, rather 
than as a free gift, and have murmured that we 
received no more. We have improved them 
for our own gratification, rather than to promote 
our gratitude and piety. We are commanded 
to remember God in all the common actions of 
life, and to have an ultimate regard to his glory. 
" Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, 
do all to the glory of God." 

Our friends and relatives were given to pro- 
mote our present comfort and spiritual joy ; to 
help each other in the way to heaven. But how 
have we forgotten God in these creature com- 
forts, and loved the creature more than the Crea- 
tor ! God is just, then, when he withholds the 
bounties of his providence, and dries up the 
streams of earthly comforts. The abuse of his 
mercies is a just cause for their removal. The 



6 A FUNERAL SERMON. 

great Father of the universe lias often merciful 
designs, when he strips us of creature enjoy- 
ments, that we may cease leaning on them, and 
choose him for our portion. 

II. It is our duty to submit to God's will 
when he takes away our comforts. As a Sove- 
reign he has a right to dispose of all things ac- 
cording to his own pleasure. He is not obliged 
to give account of his doings. Though as a 
Sovereign he has a right to do as he pleases ; his 
infinite justice and equity will cause him to do 
all things, in the best manner. He will do no 
injury to his creatures : He will do right. His 
throne is established in righteousness — justice 
and judgment are the habitation thereof. We 
are bound to submit to him as a Sovereign God. 
This is the requirement of the gospel. The 
want of it occasions disquietude, leaves us a 
prey to fierce and turbulent passions, and the re- 
proaches of a guilty conscience. 

The opposition of the heart to the divine So- 
vereignty, occasions all our murmuring and dis- 
content. It is this which keeps, us away from 
Christ, and causes him to withhold the blessings 
and consolations of the gospel. This stubborn- 
ness of heart, if continued, will prevent the sal- 
vation of the soul. 

Under a sense of our sinfulness, we are willing 
to receive the comforts of religion, but are not 
disposed to receive them as a sovereign gift. 
The heart opposes the divine government in all 
its operations, whether exercised in temporal, 
or spiritual and eternal blessings. This is our 
unhappiness and our guilt. We ought to lie in 
humble submission before God, be willing that 
lie should order all the circumstances of our 
lives, continue the blessings which we enjoy, or 
take them away just as he pleases. When he 
visits us with prosperity, we should rejoice in 
him with holy joy, and let the gratitude of our 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 7 

hearts be manifested in the praises of our lips, 
and obedience of our lives. When he visits us 
with the rod, and draws a melancholy vail over 
all our worldly enjoyments, we should be hum- 
ble before him, repent of our sins, and be anx- 
ious to reform what has been amiss in us. 

The days of prosperity are but few, and then 
come the evil days. Our families are for a time 
flourishing, our children like olive plants around 
our tables. But soon the scene is reversed — 
one misfortune treads on the heels of another — 
sickness and death enter our dwellings — a beloved 
child, which we fondly hoped would comfort us, 
or the dear companion of our days is taken 
awayi Our joys are succeeded by sorrows ; 
our pleasing prospects, by melancholy gloom. 

In these painful trials, we should be submis- 
sive to God. It is he who orders them, and has 
a right so to order. This is the time for the trial 
of our submission. There is no trial when 
things go well with us, and our wills are not 
crossed. True submission will make us resign- 
ed in adversity, as well as in prosperity, when 
our friends are taken away from us, by death, 
as well as when they are about us. Of this 
christian virtue, we have many scripture exam- 
ples. 

When the sons of Aaron were consumed by 
fire from heaven, and in an act of wickedness, 
far from murmuring or faulting the divine deal- 
ing, it is said, " Aaron held his peace." When 
good old Eli was informed of the ruin which 
was coming upon his house, he received it with 
meekness : and in the language of great submis- 
sion, said, "It is the Lord, let him do what 
seemeth him good." He was submissive when 
the trial came : his faith and patience held. 
When intelligence was brought him that his sons 
were slain in battle, though we may well suppose 
his heart was sorely wounded, he was not over- 



8 A FUNERAL SERMON. 

whelmed. So much greater was his regard for 
the honor of God, than his own interest, that 
when he heard that the ark of God was taken, so 
violent was the shock, he fell backward from his 
seat and died. 

Our regard for the honor of God should out- 
weigh all other concerns. When under the rod, 
we must feel the stroke : but we may feel deeply 
wounded and yet submit. Submission does not 
imply an indifference to earthly concerns, nor a 
hard, unfeeling heart toward our distressed and 
dying friends. This is not submission, but a 
reprehensible apathy. There must be a trial, 
or there is no room for the exercise of the vir- 
tue ; nor will the affliction be followed by a reli- 
gious improvement. It will serve to harden the 
heart more and more. 

Job was heavily afflicted, and most sensibly 
felt the rod. He appeared to all about him, a 
forlorn and distressed object, as he really was. 
And yet under his accumulated load of trials, 
the loss of his property, the death of his chil- 
dren, the painfullness of disease, he opened not 
his mouth against God, but submissively said, 
" Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and 
shall we not receive evil ? The Lord gave, and 
the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name 
of the Lord," 

In a review of this subject we observe, If God 
has a sovereign right to order and dispose of all 
things according to his pleasure, how wrong do 
we to murmur, and find fault with his dispensa- 
tions ! To this sin we are exceedingly prone. 
We complain when divine dispensations do not 
agree with our views and feelings. We cannot 
bear to be crossed. How guilty are we to op- 
pose the government of God ! How unwise, al- 
so, when our opposition will not alter the divine 
determinations ! God's government is just, and 
he will do according to his pleasure* We are 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 9 

weak, short-sighted creatures, and know not 
what is best : but God is infinitely wise. He 
not only knows what is best, but the infinite 
goodness of his nature will lead him to do all 
things in the best possible manner. We ought, 
therefore, cheerfully, to trust him with all our 
concerns, and in our afflictions, to cast our care 
on him. 

Many are the trials to which we are called — > 
many and great the disappointments which we 
must meet. They are the common lot of hu- 
manity, and cannot be avoided. But all will end 
well, if the temper and disposition of our hearts 
are right. For, all things shall work together 
for good to them that love God, and are called ac- 
cording to his purpose. 

Dreadful indeed will it be for those who des- 
pise God's chastenings, and do not tremble un- 
der the rod. They are in great danger of being- 
given up of God to a hard heart and a blind 
mind. 

God makes use of mercies to bring men to re- 
pentance. When these do not answer the de- 
signed effect, he visits with affliction — and after 
much long-suffering he sometimes withholds his 
chastening and says, " Why should ye be strick- 
en any more, ye will revolt more and more." 

Let all who are afflicted be earnestly engaged 
at the throne of grace, that they may answer the 
design of the affliction. O ye who are " tossed 
with tempests and not comforted," see where 
your help lies ! Are any afflicted, let them pray. 
Look to God for instruction and comfort. Fly 
to him as the only rest for your souls. In this 
way you may derive good, from the evil which 
you endure. 

Have you been called to the painful trial of 
parting with dear friends ? And does the world 
look gloomy about you on this account ? Be si- 
lent before God, and open not your mouths, in 
complaint, because he has done it. 

B 



10 A FUNERAL SERMON. 

If earthly friends forsake you, make it your 
great concern to obtain an heavenly friend. His 
friendship will be sincere and permanent, he will 
never leave nor forsake you. In him you may 
securely trust amidst all the storms and tempests 
of life. Though they beat, upon, they, shall not 
move you from your anchor of hope. Through 
these tribulations, thus improved, you shall en- 
ter into the kingdom of heaven. 

Before I quit this subject, it will, naturally, be 
expected that I take a special notice of the holy 
and afflicting providence which hath called us to- 
gether this day. 

A particular delineation of the character of 
the deceased I shall leave to some abler hand. 
The short notice and unusual parochial duties, 
have rendered it impossible for me to do justice 
to his character, and to answer your expectations. 

Alt that I shall attempt, will be but a brief 
sketch of his character. 

The Honorable Oliver Ellsworth, whose 
breathless remains are now before us, was born 
in this town on the 29th day of April, in the year 
of our Lord 1745. He graduated at Princeton 
College in New- Jersey, in the year 1766.* 
Soon after this, he became a Counsellor at Law, 
and in his profession was highly distinguished. 
He discovered uncommon genius and deep eru- 
dition. He was an able advocate ; and when 
convinced of the rectitude of his cause, he pur- 
sued it with unwearied diligence. His argu- 
ments were strong and convincing ; his language 
persuasive. 

Abilities so distinguished could not be con- 
cealed from the public eye. In the arduous and 
doubtful conflict with England, and when our 

* He was married to Miss Abigail Wolcott^ daughter of 
the Hon. William Worcott, Esq. of East-Windsor, in the 
year 1772, by whom he had six sons and three daughters. 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 11 

country was enwrapped in the deeped gloom, 
the united voice of the citizens called him to act 
in a more distinguished station — and at an early 
age he was chosen a member of Congress. At 
the conclusion of our revolutionary war, when 
our public affairs wore art aspect of gloom and 
perplexity, for want of an efficient government, 
he was again summoned, by the voice of the 
people, to a Convention for the purpose of form- 
ing a constitution of civil government. In this 
he bore a distinguished part. 

In the State Convention, for the adoption of 
this constitution, he was equally distinguished, 
and by the force and energy of his arguments, 
became invincible. 

The public mind, too deeply sensible of his 
worth, to suffer him to enjoy domestic ease, re- 
newed its call to take a distinguished part in the 
administration of that government, of which he 
had been so able an advocate, and appointed him 
a member in the Senate of the United States. 
Here was a field for the display of his great abil- 
ities, and he was generally acknowledged to be 
one of its most influential members. 

Called from this, into the judiciary, and to the 
chief scat in the Supreme Court of the general 
government, he displayed a firmness and integ- 
rity, which did honor to himself and to his coun- 
try. 

When the public concerns were again per- 
plexed, on account of subsisting difficulties with 
the French nation, he received the appointment 
of Ambassador to that country. Though con- 
trary to the feelings of his heart, he accepted the 
appointment and high responsibility, quitted his 
family and country, to encounter the hardships 
and daneers of the seas. The success with 
which his embassy was attended, all can witness. 
The treaty which was formed received the pub- 
lic approbation. In this undertaking he laid the 



12 A FUNERAL SERMON. 

foundation for all those distressing infirmities 
which have with such violence preyed upon him, 
and enfeebled his constitution. Unable to re- 
turn to his native land when his negociation was 
completed, he was obliged to seek an ameliora- 
tion of his complaints, in a neighboring king- 
dom. 

Since his return to the land of his nativity, 
though he has been called to an elevated station 
in the State Legislature, he declined accepting 
the chief seat in the Judiciary. His bodily in- 
firmities and distressing pains, together with the 
death of his eldest son,* greatly embittered his 
comforts. His constitution became gradually 
weakened, and after a short and painful confine- 
ment, death closed the scene. 

Mr. Ellsworth received the highest colle- 
giate honors, being admitted to a degree of 
Doctor of Laws. He was one of the Trustees 
of the Missionary Society ; was honored with 
elevated stations and important trusts, both in 
the State, and general governments ; in all which 
he acquitted himself with dignity and reputation. 

He was a lover of the peace and order of so- 
ciety ; one that respected the public institutions 
of Christianity ; a professor of the religion of 
Jesus from his youth ; a constant attendant on 
the worship of God in his sanctuary, and on the 
sacrament of the Lord's supper. 

In private life he was regular and strictly tem- 
perate. In his intercourse with men, he was 
social, easy of access, and from the improve- 
ment of his mind, and that fund of useful know- 
ledge which he possessed, his conversation was 
improving and highly entertaining. 

* Oliver Ellsworth, jun. an amiable and promising 
youth, who after finishing- his Collegiate education, accom- 
panied his father in his Embassy to France. Soon after 
tys return his health became impaired, and after a gradual 
Recline, he died in the 25th year of his age. 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 13 

In his last confinement, the severity of dis- 
ease produced a derangement of mind, and pre- 
vented those counsels which his family and 
friends desired to receive. In this state of mind 
he concluded his days on earth, and gently fell 
asleep, we trust, in Jesus, in the 63d year of his 
age. 

If in the death of this great man, the public 
has sustained a heavy loss, his family and con- 
nections have sustained a much heavier. They 
have reason to mourn. But they mourn not as 
those who are without hope. 

With the solitary widow and fatherless chil- 
dren, we drop the tear of condolence. We feel 
for you under this heavy bereavement. May 
you be disposed to adopt the language of Job, 
under the most accumulated afflictions, " The 
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, and 
blessed be the name of the Lord." And of the 
text, " I was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; 
because thou didst it." 

Once you could pray, " Father, if it be pos- 
sible, let this cup pass from me." But that sea- 
son is gone, and will return no more. All that 
remains now is to say, " Father, thy will be 
done," and make him your refuge in the day of 
trouble. If you trust in him, and obey his com- 
mandments, he will cause light to arise out of 
darkness, and sweeten your afflictions, with the 
consolations of his holy spirit. May God kindly 
mitigate your grief, and wipe away your falling 
tears. To the great Comforter of the afflicted, 
we commend you. May he cause this afflic- 
tion, how severe soever it may seem, to work 
for your good. Let the children remember the 
counsels of love which they have received from 
the lips of their father. Remember his prayers. 
And by these, may he, though now dead, yet 
speak effectually to you. Follow him in all that 
he followed Christ. 



14 A FUNERAL SERMON. 

The church of Christ, and the Society usually 
assembling in this house, are called to mourn 
the loss of an important member. Seek the 
Lord that he would raise up others to stand in 
the place of the fathers, and espouse his cause. 

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and 
Council of this State will feel their hands weak- 
ened, by the loss of one, who was able in coun- 
sel. Let them remember, the most distinguished 
offices and highest honors from men, will not se- 
cure from death. Let them be excited to look 
to God for all needed counsel and direction. 

Let all who are afflicted, rely on a gracious 
God for support. He is the great healer of breach- 
es, and comforter of the afflicted. In him the 
wretched may find a friend, who will never leave 
nor forsake them. 

Earthly friends are dying comforts, but the 
Lord liveth forever. Those who trust in him, 
though plunged in a sea of trouble, and tossed 
on tumultuous billows, shall find a deliverer. 
He will carry them safely through, and bring 
them to the haven of rest and peace. Oh ! how 
comforting the thought to the children of God 
in their distresses ! But those who are not his by 
a spiritual regeneration, may derive benefit from 
their afflictions. Come, return to the Lord, he 
hath " torn, and he will heal, he hath smitten, 
and he will bind" up your wounds. Loud and 
piercing are his calls. They have reached your 
hearts — O, let them melt under the rod and sub- 
mit. Give yourselves no peace until you can 
say, " thy will be done." This is the only peace 
which you can obtain. It will calm your tumul- 
tuous thoughts, and give sweet serenity to your 
souls. But if you fly from God and seek to 
drown your troubles in the cares and vanities of 
the world, you may harden your hearts, but can- 
not enjoy true peace. 



A FUNERAL SERMON. 15 

Let this numerous assembly consider them- 
selves addressed in a loud and solemn manner. 
My brethren, we are all, in this providence, ad- 
monished of our frailty. The time of our disso- 
lution is at hand. We shall soon be consigned 
to the grave. But short will be our slumber 
there. We shall hear the sound of the last 
trump and arise ! We must stand at the judg- 
ment-seat of Christ ! Our state will be decided 
for eternity ! How solemn the thought ! Awful, 
if found unprepared ! But happy and glorious, if 
found clothed with the righteousness of Christ ! 
We shall enter the New Jerusalem, and no more 
go out — and God will wipe all tears from our 
eyes. Amen. 



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ST. AUGUSTINE 



